AT&T Receives FCC Approval for Acquisition of NextWave Wireless, Other WCS Transactions; Approval Sets the Stage for WCS Spectrum for Mobile Broadband Use

AT&T announced today that the FCC has approved AT&T’s pending acquisition of NextWave Wireless and other pending WCS spectrum acquisitions. The FCC previously approved a joint proposal from AT&T and Sirius XM that permits deployment of mobile broadband service in the WCS band.

“The long era of dispute and uncertainty surrounding the WCS spectrum band is finally over. With the Order released this week, AT&T will be able to complete acquisitions that will give it a path to robust commercial LTE deployment in the WCS band,” said Joan Marsh, AT&T vice president of Federal Regulatory. “We applaud the FCC Chairman and Commissioners for their commitment to fostering innovative spectrum solutions that unlock under-utilized spectrum bands to serve the growing demands of American consumers. Repositioning the WCS band for LTE deployment is a significant accomplishment which will spur aggressive investment by AT&T and create good paying jobs across the wireless and technology eco-systems. This is also a win for our customers, who will benefit from today’s Order for years to come as we realize the spectrum’s full potential to enhance our wireless broadband offerings.”

AT&T intends to deploy WCS spectrum for added 4G LTE capacity in approximately three years. AT&T now expects the NextWave transaction will close during the first quarter of 2013.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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